"You just need to cooperate with me to show affection, and then express your sisterly bond with Wei Jin, making those media outlets believe that you are living well in the Zhan family and that we, the Zhan family, are not irresponsible."
What they were doing now was to first salvage the Zhan family's image. Otherwise, anything they said would sound like excuses to the media.
Wei Yumeng knew she couldn't escape this. Since Zhan Mohan had helped her earlier, she had no reason to refuse.
"Okay, I will cooperate with you."
With her saying that, Wen Yulan couldn't find any fault. Zhan Mohan had come up with a solution, and Wei Yumeng had no objections. If she were to say anything more, it would be too obvious.
Old Master Zhan's fundamental goal was for the Zhan family and the company to prosper. As long as these two aspects were not affected, he didn't want to interfere much with other matters.
His health also didn't allow him to fuss anymore, and he was quite confident in Zhan Mohan's handling of affairs.
He stood up from his chair, "Since the solution has been devised, let Mohan execute it."
"Grandfather, you should go back to your room and rest early."
Zhan Mohan respectfully watched Old Master Zhan walk upstairs.
Wen Yulan gave Sister Li a look, and the two of them returned to their rooms. Feng Shiqing was furious, her face ashen, and she could do nothing about Wei Yumeng, so she followed Wen Yulan upstairs.
As soon as the door was closed, Feng Shiqing complained profusely to Wen Yulan.
"Auntie, why didn't you let Wei Yu sign just now? We were so close to the finish line."
Wen Yulan was still filled with resentment. She shot Feng Shiqing a glare.
"Do you think I didn't want to? You saw Mohan's attitude. It was obvious he didn't want to divorce Wei Yumeng. He was clearly favoring her with his words."
Although Zhan Mohan had reservations about her, he had never publicly disgraced her. Today, for Wei Yumeng's sake, he actually told her to shut up.
She was the mistress managing the Zhan family, yet she was reprimanded by him. This resentment had to be released.
Feng Shiqing, however, refused to believe it. "You mean... Brother Mohan has really fallen for that woman?"
"Whether he likes her or not, I don't know. I only know that if you don't try harder, and they develop feelings for each other, neither of us will have it easy in the Zhan family."
Wen Yulan was almost dying of anger, especially at Wei Yumeng. She pretended to be weak and garner sympathy, but everyone knew she had ulterior motives, colluding with Wei Jin to get daughters of the Wei family married into the Zhan family.
Feng Shiqing panicked. "No, they can't develop feelings. Auntie, how is Zhan Lin doing? Can he be discharged from the hospital?"
Although Brother Mohan's attitude towards Wei Yumeng was better now, once Zhan Lin returned, he would immediately remember what Wei Yumeng had done to his brother. At that time, seeing Wei Yumeng would disgust him.
Even the nascent feelings would be extinguished.
"Zhan Lin will probably take some more time to return, but I think this avenue might not work anymore."
Feng Shiqing furrowed her brow. "Why?"
"Because a couple of days ago when I visited Zhan Lin, he told me that it seemed like Wei Yumeng didn't hit him. There was a sister who looked very much like Wei Yumeng, but that sister had a mole at the corner of her eye."
Feng Shiqing's expression changed drastically. If she remembered correctly, the one with a mole at the corner of her eye was Wei Jin.
She couldn't help but exclaim, "Could it be that Wei Jin hit Zhan Lin and framed Wei Yumeng? If that's the case, then nothing can stop them anymore."
Before, she had harbored a sliver of hope, thinking that since Wei Yumeng had harmed Brother Mohan and Zhan Lin, perhaps he was just confused for a while. Once he saw Zhan Lin, all his resentment would return.
Now, after hearing Wen Yulan say this, she felt uncertain.
A ruthless look flashed in Wen Yulan's eyes. "So now, we have to create new conflict between them and make them hate each other again."
Feng Shiqing was confused.
"Auntie, what is your plan?"
"Isn't Wei Yumeng's mother hospitalized recently? She's rumored to be half-paralyzed. If something were to happen to her mother at this time, and Wei Yumeng were to think it was Mohan's mistake or intentional, could they still be together?"
Hearing Wen Yulan's idea, Feng Shiqing felt goosebumps all over her body, her expression filled with terror.
She asked incredulously, "Auntie, you mean... you want to take her mother's life!"
Wen Yulan could understand Feng Shiqing's fear. After all, no one had ever killed anyone before, and it was normal to be afraid. But now, this was the only way to separate them.
She pulled the stunned Feng Shiqing closer and whispered sinisterly in her ear.
"If you don't seize this opportunity, and Wei Yumeng gets pregnant, then they'll be happy as a family of three, and there will be no place for you."
"No... don't. Why should Wei Yumeng be with Brother Mohan? She doesn't deserve him!"
Upon hearing Wen Yulan's words, Feng Shiqing immediately retorted.
"I won't allow them to be together. Brother Mohan and I have been childhood sweethearts. I've admired him for over twenty years. How long has Wei Yumeng been married into the family? Why should she receive Brother Mohan's love like this?"
Seeing that Feng Shiqing was now consumed by anger, Wen Yulan struck while the iron was hot.
"Her mother's paralysis is irreversible. Even if doctors speak of miracles, how many paralyzed people do you know are that lucky? Besides, her mother is so ill, she wouldn't have lived much longer anyway. It's better to fulfill your wishes."
Feng Shiqing deliberated for a long time, clearly showing signs of wavering. She grabbed Wen Yulan's hand in panic.
"But I'm scared, Auntie. What if it's exposed? That's jail time. Brother Mohan will definitely not forgive me."
"He won't. As long as you do it without anyone noticing and it's not discovered, once her mother is buried, who will investigate this matter? Then there will be no witnesses or evidence. Even if they suspect something, it will be useless. At that time, you and Mohan will get married and have children. Who will bother to reopen the case?"
Wen Yulan's words seemed to plant a seed in Feng Shiqing's mind. Although she didn't agree at the time, she couldn't stop thinking about it.
If Wei Yumeng fell out with Brother Mohan because of this, the hatred for the murder of her mother would be irreconcilable. Even with the deepest love, they wouldn't choose to continue.
Then Brother Mohan would see her goodness, gradually forget Wei Yumeng, and she would be the ultimate winner in this emotional game.
At this moment, Wei Yumeng was unaware that a monumental conspiracy was approaching her.
She followed Zhan Mohan back to their room and gradually recovered. Just as she was about to turn and ask about Zhan Yichen, she bumped straight into Zhan Mohan. Her body swayed, and she almost fell. The man quickly hooked his arm around her waist, pulling her into his embrace.
His crisp scent enveloped her from all sides. Wei Yumeng felt a little dizzy, and then she heard his low, husky voice.
"If I hadn't arrived in time just now, would you have been ready to sign it?"
His question came too suddenly, and Wei Yumeng's mind was still a bit foggy. She couldn't react immediately. As she opened her mouth, Zhan Mohan's fingertip pinched her chin, his deep gaze filled with warning.
"You'd better think carefully before you speak."
Wei Yumeng slapped his hand away. "Even if you ask me to think carefully, I only have one thing to say: I didn't intend to sign. They were forcing me to."
Zhan Mohan's eyes widened. He clearly hadn't expected such an answer. His brows furrowed, and he still couldn't quite believe it.
"You mean... you don't want to divorce me?"
"If I divorce you, where will I go? Sleep on the streets? All my money has been spent on buying you clothes. Do you want me to divorce you now?"
He was too heartless. If he wanted a divorce, he should have said so earlier. She wouldn't have bothered spending all her savings just to buy him a set of clothes.
And she was looked down upon by everyone in the Zhan family, as if the clothes she gave him were some kind of ill omen.
Zhan Mohan's heart, which had been hanging precariously, finally settled completely when she said those words. A rare, faint smile even appeared on his usually ice-cold face.
However, as a man, he still had to maintain his dignity. The hostility in his brows instantly vanished.
Wei Yumeng, not hearing his response for a long time, was about to look up and ask him for a definitive answer when his scorching kiss suddenly pressed down.
Her pupils contracted abruptly. What was going on?